The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-05
TAYLOR AND THE TWO KINGS
How the Bishop Succeeded in Restoring
Peace Between African Monarchs.
Cementing Friendship by Means of the Cere-
mony of the Blood Brotherhood-Why
Kambaloa Abandoned His Campaign.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

ST PAUL. DE LoANDA Angola, Africa, March
oS-Malange the easternmost station yet
planted by Bishop Taylor in the original line
across central Africa is on the very borders of
the Portuguese possessions. 1t is seldom Wis
tied by Europeans. The way to it from Pungo
Andongo is across wild county, greatly diversi-
fed by hills and woodlands, but not particularly
mountainous. 1t is situated on the right bank
of small stream that is supposed to flow into
the Coapza river, but just where nobody knows,
it is not navigable, and no one has yet fol-
lowed it down to the end The Bishop had
tramped for two days through this wilderness
without adventure of a serious nature About
o'clock in the morning of the third day he was
met by two natives bearing spears. They
stopped tie party for moment and conversed
with the carriers in the African tongue. Then
they set off in advance of the party at a high
rate of speed. The Bishop saw that this maneu-
yer meant something out of the usual course.
and made inquiries of his carriers.
"Those men," one of the carriers replied. ARE
from the Nam balungo, which we shall presently
come to- 1t is the chief town of a tribe that
inhabits this region. One of the neighboring
tribes has recently declared upon it, and
the people of Mambalungo expecting battle
any day The men met were pickets sent
out to warn the King of the approach of hos
tile party"
..They will not report us as hostile will theyf'
asked the Bishop.
'.Oh, no. The good white man has been heard
of here, and the people Of Mambaluneo will
take his visit most kindly. The pickets have
gore back to apprise the King of your approach,
and you will be met on entering the town with
ceremony"
The natives of the interior bad learned of
Bishop Taylor in two ways. First DIR. Sum-
mers had short time before travelled through
the country looking for places to plant sta
tions, and had informed the people Of his
object and something about those who were 70
follow him. And second, while the Bishop was
digging his well at Nhanguepeppo and
tearing up the ground for cultivation,
many natives we're traversing the country from
town to town intent trade. and the news
had been greatly maenifed by them. The result
was that when the Bishop arrived at the borders
of Mambalungo he found the greater part of the
population drawn up to receive him. The town
was not large one in area, TO. the houses were
grouped together at the top of hill. The farm
lands. crudely cultivated by the inhabitants, lay
below in the surrounding country. It was
really q delightful spot, for the elevated situa-
ton gave the breezes every opportunity to cir
culate and from the miniature plateau vast
extent of country could be overlooked. Mount
aims were near enough in the distance to appear
impressive, and the vegetation had all the luxu-
rious freshness of the tropical cline The
entrance to the town at the top of the hill
had been barricaded, and rude Notifications
thrown up on all sides. The ascent was
not steep enough to make the situation impreg-
nable from military point of view, but it was
sufficiently safe to make the inn abitants feel at
ease with respect to the attacks of tribes like
themselves. The Bishop received at the
first barricade with marks Of deep respect, end
one man who seemed to be in authority made
him an incomprehensible address. Then he was
conducted to a hut about a quarter way down
the main street OF the town, and installed there
He would willingly have continued his journey.
but he saw that it would be useless to attempt
it. His carriers explained that the who
had met them was the chief lieutenant of the
King, and that he had hidden the stranger well
come. He had also said that the King would
come to see him. So the Bishop saw that he
would have to wait.
In about half hour the King came. He was
attended by body guard of hundred
soldiers armed for combat Meantime other
soldiers stood at all the barbados prepared to
resist an expected attack Beyond the arming
of the warriors and the preparations of the de-
lenses. the inhabitants seemed to take no
thought about war. They loafed about in char
acteristic African fashion, and collected in a
to meet the Bishop. The introduction was I'M
cermonlous. because the two men could not
speak a common language The Bishop relieved
the situation of any awkwardness by stepping
forward quickly and extending his hand to
royalty, saying. he did so. 81 am glad to
meet you The King received the preferred
hand with dignity, and when the Bishops
words had been translated to MIN he responded:
81 have heard Of the old white man. well-dig-
ger, long walker, who speaks kind words.
What would the old white man do in Manila
II am on my way" explained the Bishop, "to
where friends will follow me and
stay"
''You are welcome to Mambalungo." continued
the King. ''Why not stay here with US, rather
than to journey on to Malangea'
.'I have many places to visit, o King but my
friends who will follow me will visit you. You
are now at war; when there is peace again you
may much OF us.
The answer was not well understood by the
African, but he made no objection. In a mo-
ment he continued:
Tell me what it is that the old white man,
weldigger. long walker. and his friends would
1--WE come to live among you. to bring you
peace. and to tell you of many good things"
Conversation of this kind continued for
time, the King showing some interest well as
been missionaries in Africa whose conduct with ;.
the natives has led them to be suspicious. It !
may be that the missionaries referred to were
not what they pretended to be- at all events they
were sharp traders, and, having made fortune
out of the credulity of the natives went away
again. The King was impressed deeply with the
idea that the Bishop and his friends had come to
stay and to work for themselves upon the soil
instead of trading AS he talked with the Bishop
he grew to like the 'old white man more and
more, and at last he said:
I'VE have heard that the men of Kumbua are
coming to make war upon US. They lie between
here and Maange. You will not venture to
continue your journey before we have defeated
them and brought about peaceY'
''Yes, o King" replied the Bishop 81 shall
go on as can. am a friend to the peo-
pie of Nam balungo and their king, but am also
a friend to the Kumbuans and their king like
wlse There is no danger for me from them any
more than there is danger from you. There is
One above me to guard and protect me-"
THE white mans God is indeed very power
full" assented the King, gravely. ''and the white
man speaks bravely and frankly. None other
would permit to pass from town to tho
army of the Kumbuans. l believe you are NV
friend, and will show you that am yours"
Ia tharaunnr oped his chat lia,,taua,4